First chance to ride Sherbourne cycle track

From the pictures, we get a bit wider lane, but not generously wide.

There's a curb which will make it tough for one bicycle to pass another. (All those 'presently not riding but will immediately ride in a "safe place"' riders aren't going to be moving quickly.)

It looks like there's no special treatment at intersections; the track simply ends ahead of the intersection. It will be interesting to see what sort of signage will be put up and how it will work.

The biggest danger I see when riding in a curbside lane (separated or not) is being right-hooked at intersections. In my experience, the only two safe maneouvres is either cut left around the right-turning car, or wait behind the car until it turns. While "safe place to ride" cyclists won't be going around the left, the berm now prevents experienced cyclists from doing so as well.

Hopefully the "safe place to ride" riders will know to deal with right-turning cars.

Sherbourne has long blocks so there aren't too many intersections. It's going to be more of a problem on Wellesley/Harbord.

Yes, separated and safe is the only solution. The compromised and self-delusion of the possibility of Share the Road concept is just that: self delusion and dangerous.

Read the article in the Star:
http://www.wheels.ca/news/carte-blanche-pottery-roads-death-trap/

to get an idea what it means sharing the road. It means it is irresponsible for cyclists to promote such impossible dream considering the drivers' attitude, and furthermore it gives politicians an excuse not to do anything about cycling infrastructure.

Yes, separated and safe is the only solution. The compromised and self-delusion of the possibility of Share the Road concept is just that: self delusion and dangerous.

This sounds catchy, but is pretty meaningless.

I guess for you there can be no solutions for the central city, because there is no way you'll get truly separated (there are still intersections and driveways). And safe, well, I don't know what your definition of safe is, but until all motor vehicles, all pedestrians, and all other cyclists are removed from the picture, bicycling isn't going to be completely safe--separated lane or not.

If the argument is for "safer" cycling infrastructure, I think we can all agree. Probably where we disagree is whethert the only way to make things safer is to separate. It isn't, and separate isn't necessarily safe, as any ride on the Martin Goodman Trail on a summer afternoon will demonstrate.

I also like the jump from "share the road" to "separated". Painted bicycle lanes are neither of these. If I had to guess, you'd label them as "unsafe". The interesting thing is that the "separated" lanes on Sherbourne, as far as I can judge, share the major "unsafeness" of painted lanes: what happens at intersections?

If building building better infrastructure results in more people cycling, then the general rule is that roads become safer for bikes.

If we fail to recognize this specific benefit of closing the ratio between cars and bikes, do we then run the risk of furthering an attitude of reliance on painted lines and bollards?

I walked Sherbourne from Shuter to Bloor. Summary:

1. The barriers will do more to keep bicycles in than keep cars out. Crossing the barriers will be like crossing streetcar tracks: you'd have to slow way down and take it at a good angle.
2. Close to half the lane is not rideable because that's how far the sewer gratings stick out from the curb.
3. The lanes are narrow--no wider than the previous painted lanes. There won't be room for one bicycle to pass another one, given that the natural riding line is smack down the middle of the lane (which is where every cyclist using the finished sections rode).
4. The lane design pretty much designs in right hooks at intersections. There are Roncesvalles-style raised sections where the bus stops are. Because of the barrier and curb, cyclists won't have the option of going around the left of right-turning cars. Right-turning cars can't move over to the right; they will basically make a right angle turn across the lane.
5. Bonus: in fron of the Phoenix the bicycle lane does a nice chicane to give riders a chance to practice their maneouverability. Nevertheless, a van with a U-Haul trailer was parked in

As far as I can see, there's very little commitment to making this lane work, or to make it an example of good bicycle infrastructure.

The level of imagination and committment here is "let's replace a painted line by a concrete hump". I
If there's broken glass or ice in the lane, it will take careful riding to cross the curb to avoid it (assuming there aren't bollards placed to make it even more of a challenge). With the catchbasins in place, we have essentially an under-one-metre-wide piece of pavement.

Mind you, the separation appears great for BMX riders. One young guy was zig-zagging from one side of the hump to the other, by bunny-hopping up on it, riding a bit, bunny-hopping off, etc. I'm glad someone is getting enjoyment from this.

TL;DR Summary:
Teh azz.